Halfaker & Associates

Team

Dawn Halfaker, Chief Executive Officer

In response to the radically changing business environment, Chief Executive Officer F. Dawn Halfaker founded Halfaker and Associates in January 2006, recognizing the growing need for dynamic consultants with specialized experience to provide national security services to the Federal Government.

Captain (Ret) Dawn Halfaker has extensive management experience as a Military Police Officer in the United States Army. After a tour in Korea, she deployed with the 3d Infantry Division as a platoon leader and deputy provost marshal in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. She was subsequently wounded during a combat patrol near Baghdad in 2004, earning a Purple Heart and Bronze Star.

In addition, Dawn served as a military liaison to the House Armed Services Committee where she advised the committee Chair on central Department of Defense issues. Since 2005, she has worked with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), specializing in technical consulting for the Defense Sciences Office. Her mission is to help initiate research that will provide advanced capabilities to the military. Dawn also remains very active with veteran's affairs and is a member of many of the veteran's service organizations and serves on various advisory committees.

Dawn holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the United States Military Academy at West Point and is currently pursuing her Master of Arts in Security Studies from Georgetown University in Washington, DC.

Emily McMahan, Chief Financial Officer

Emily McMahan has served as Chief Financial Officer of Halfaker and Associates since she joined the company in November 2006. Emily provides leadership, vision and expertise in the areas of corporate planning, tax, treasury operations, finance, and risk management.

Prior to joining Halfaker and Associates, Emily served as a Military Police Officer in the US Army. Twice deployed, her professional experience in operations and financial management are paralleled only by her deployment experience. Emily served in Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, and Noble Eagle where she earned two Bronze Stars.

Emily is also a subject matter expert in the areas of Anti-Terrorism and Force Protection. Her most recent experience has been consulting to the Department of the Army's Asymmetric Warfare Office, Force Protection Division, coordinating its Force Protection Assessment and developing Protection strategy.

Emily holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the United States Military Academy at West Point.

Benjamin Lyng, Director of Business Development

Benjamin Lyng has served as Director of Business Development since he joined the company in July of 2008.   Ben provides leadership, vision, and expertise in the areas of strategy and finance. 

Before joining Halfaker and Associates, Ben was an investment banker at Deutsche Bank Securities in New York, where he focused on clients in the aerospace and defense sector.  While at Deutsche Bank, Ben advised on deals in the equity and debt capital markets totaling more than $600 million, and M&A transactions totaling more than $1.3 billion. 

Prior to attending business school, Ben served as an Army officer in positions of increasing responsibility, culminating with his assignment as commanding officer the explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) company at Fort Carson, CO.  As a company commander, he successfully led his unit through a challenging combat tour in Afghanistan, where he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal.  As an EOD officer, he also trained extensively with local and federal agencies, and participated in numerous secret service protective details in support of the president, vice president and other VIPs.  Throughout his military career, Ben gained valuable experience in force protection, threat assessment, and risk management operations.

Ben holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from American University and a Masters in Business Administration from Cornell. 

Michael King, Director of Contracts and Operations

Michael King has served as Director of Contracts and Operations for Halfaker and Associates since he joined the company in March 2008.  Michael provides leadership, vision and expertise in the areas of capture strategy, contract management, operational oversight, and technology.

Prior to joining Halfaker and Associates, Michael served with the Critical Infrastructure Protection group of Lockheed Martin Transportation and Security Solutions.  Michael brings a variety of experience in systems engineering, COTS integration, physical security, program management, and capture management.  His experiences while at Lockheed Martin include working on several large engineering programs including access control, video surveillance, and credentialing solutions.

Michael holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Engineering from the University of Virginia and a Master’s of Science in Information Systems & Technology from Johns Hopkins University.

Rebecca Holloman, Director of Marketing

Rebecca Holloman has served as Director of Marketing for Halfaker and Associates since she joined the company in September 2007. Rebecca provides leadership, vision, and expertise in the areas of corporate strategic planning and organization, development of marketing plans, market research, strategic relationship building, and project management.

Prior to joining Halfaker and Associates, Rebecca served as the project manager on the office support contract for the US Army Office of Small Business Programs, Headquarters located in the Pentagon. Rebecca brings with her a wealth of knowledge from the Federal Government small business sector, which will assist in developing Halfaker and Associates as a strong small business contender for Government contracts. Her achievements with the Army Office of Small Business Programs include developing the Annual National Veteran Small Business Conference and Expo, the largest veteran-owned and service-disabled veteran-owned small business conference in the Nation; spearheading the development and implementation of a sound project plan for the contract support that has assisted in taking the Army OSBP to the next level; as well as developing strong relationships that cross all Federal Government sectors, which assisted in joint efforts for small business.

Rebecca holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Virginia.

Cyrus Mostaghim, Director of Human Resources

Cyrus Mostaghim has served as Director of Human Resources for Halfaker and Associates since he joined the company in October 2007. Cyrus provides leadership, vision, and expertise in the areas of human resources, recruiting, and strategic planning and organization.

Prior to joining Halfaker and Associates, Cyrus served as the Programs Coordinator for the Recruiting department of Perot Systems Government Services. Cyrus brings with him a wealth of knowledge in HR Management and Benefits in the government sector, organizational planning, and the development of internal business structure.

Cyrus holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management with concentrations in HR Management and Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Technology Management from Virginia Tech.

Jason Sigler, Director of Program Management

Jason Sigler joined Halfaker and Associates in September of 2007.  He was recently promoted to the Director of Program Management.  Prior to this, Jason worked as an Emergency Management SME and Program Manager for the Emergency Management and Force Protection Services division. Jason is a proven leader who provides oversight and assistance to all of the company’s projects and programs.  Additionally, he is responsible for managing our Warrior Transition Program.  

Prior to joining Halfaker and Associates, Jason was an Operations Manager at Georgia Ports Authority and also served as an Armor Officer in the US Army. His management experience coupled with multiple successful operational deployments has provided him the ability to excel within Halfaker and Associates.  Jason participated in two deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.  He deployed with the 3rd Infantry Division, “Rock of the Marne”, earning two Bronze Stars, one with “V” device.  He also deployed with the Multi-National Corps Iraq’s, Iraq Assistance Group (IAG), earning a Defense Meritorious Service Medal.

Jason is also a subject matter expert in the areas of Emergency Management and Force Protection. He has been consulting to the Department of the Army's Asymmetric Warfare Office, Protection Division, Emergency Management Planning Assistance Program and assisted in developing the Army’s Emergency Management Policy.

Jason holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the United States Military Academy at West Point.